117. Days in the Mountains

In the Monster Mountain Range, the season of renewal had arrived. Monsters were awakening from their deep slumber, beginning to stir and hunt for prey. It was at this very moment that a highly organized hunting party ventured from Mountain City into the range.

The dangers they would encounter along the way were entirely expected. A large portion of the lone wanderers in these parts were cutthroats who killed for treasure. Elder Yun’s brow furrowed deeply; could they have encountered such people here?

Next to Han Menghai, Liu Fengyan was also frowning, muttering to himself in a voice only he could hear, "Why does this person's voice sound so familiar?" Aside from Liu Fengyan’s confused muttering, the rest of the group was struck by a chill the moment they realized the person hidden in the shadows was capable of commanding the packs of Gold-Silver Wolves.

They understood that the hidden figure was at least a Xiantian-level expert. With the addition of a formidable Gold-Silver Wolf King and hundreds of wolves, this overwhelming superiority in strength meant that if this person truly wanted to keep the twenty-man hunting party trapped in the mountains, it would be no difficult task.

One had to realize that these were monsters under human command. Monsters were already powerful enough on their own; if they were to possess human intelligence, human cultivators would lose any advantage they might have held against them. The gap between a beast relying on instinct and one directed by a strategist was as vast as heaven and earth.

Seeing the Gold-Silver Wolves’ eyes glowing blood-red, Elder Yun’s legs trembled, and he hurriedly shouted, "Wait! Brother, we did not know the Wolf King was your pet. Forgive those who do not know; we implore you to show mercy and not command these beasts to attack."

Elder Yun’s shift in attitude was purely for survival. If he insisted on being stubborn, the entire squad of twenty would likely perish. Fortunately, the person in the shadows was reasonable. Upon hearing the Elder, he whispered, "Very well, little wolf. Tell your pack to stand down and return to their business."

The young man then seemed to turn away and addressed Elder Yun again: "Since that is the case, you may leave. No one is to lay a finger on the Gold-Silver Wolf King!" His tone turned stern and brooks no argument. Elder Yun and Han Menghai knew their trip had been in vain. With such a figure present, even with three times the men, success would be impossible.

Elder Yun was frustrated. While their intelligence had identified the Wolf King's territory, it had failed to account for the owner. Reluctantly, he called off the mission and ordered Han Menghai to lead the team back.

As the team prepared to retreat, one man stood motionless. When Han Menghai turned back to call for his missing member, the man named Liu Fengyan tremblingly pointed at the large tree, asking with hesitation, "Is that Brother Qi Fei up there? I am Liu Fengyan. Do you remember when we formed a team to come here? The time we encountered the wolf pack..."

"Liu Fengyan..." A voice drifted from the tree, sounding as if in reminiscence. A moment later, it spoke again: "Ah, I remember. We even met that little fellow, Momo. My, Brother Liu, it has been over half a year, and you have advanced two levels! That is truly remarkable, reaching the third level of the Xiantian realm. Such speed is staggering!"

A young figure leaped from the thick branches, smiling innocently at Liu Fengyan. It was none other than Qi Fei. He clearly remembered every member of that first expeditionary team. This man, Liu Fengyan, had been the captain. Advancing two levels in a year was rare and highly commendable.

Qi Fei had not expected to run into an old acquaintance. He smiled at the man, asking, "Brother Liu, how have you been?"

"I am doing well," Liu Fengyan replied, then looked ashamed. "Brother Qi, do not mock me. My progress was merely a stroke of luck. But you—in just a year, you have gone from a child who had not even begun his training to a Xiantian expert. That is true god-like cultivation speed!"

Qi Fei rubbed his nose, feigning humility. "Brother Liu, you overthink it. I had actually reached the Xiantian realm a year ago, but my master required me to travel as a common alchemist apprentice, so I hid my cultivation. I hope you can forgive the deception." He would never reveal his true origins, the secrets of the Blood Shadow Lord, or the mystery of the Spirit Jade.

"So that is how it was!" Liu Fengyan’s disbelief vanished. He had felt it was impossible for the hidden figure to be Qi Fei, but now that the truth was out, it seemed far more logical than a genius rising to the Xiantian level in a single year.

Qi Fei changed the subject. "Brother Liu, were you also here for the Wolf King? I am afraid it is my master’s beloved pet, and I cannot allow it to be taken. My master is currently in seclusion, so I must look after the little guy."

"Hehe, that is only right," Liu Fengyan laughed. "If I had a pet, I would do the same."

As they parted ways, Liu Fengyan cupped his hands. "Since the mission is a failure, I must return to report. Farewell, Brother Qi, until we meet again."

Qi Fei nodded. He did not ask him to stay; his master, Tong He, was in seclusion reshaping his form, and Qi Fei needed to guard the area and consolidate his own cultivation. As he watched the team disappear, he vanished into the shadows, heading back toward the cave.

Three and a half months passed in the blink of an eye. Qi Fei emerged from the binding space. He had finished his training a month and a half ahead of schedule, thanks to his grueling, mechanical repetition of drawing and sheathing his blade—a form of self-torture that had hardened his resolve.

During this period, despite his body’s natural growth phase, he had actually grown slightly shorter, but his physique had become incredibly condensed. His skin was soft to the touch, and if he suppressed his Xiantian aura, he looked like a refined young nobleman. Yet, his body was now so strong that even the Cold Soul Blade could not leave a scratch on him. His bones were now imbued with a faint golden light, surging with endless power.

Most importantly, he had gained control over his Heaven-Earth True Essence. When he unleashed a punch combined with his full power and essence, the surrounding twenty-three-fold binding force was pushed back. His attack power had exploded fivefold. Using the "Ten Thousand Blades Returning to the Ancestors" technique, he could now execute thirteen strikes—a terrifying level of power.

Though he felt he could now hold his own against even the strongest experts, he knew he had to remain patient. With his master still in seclusion for another few months, Qi Fei returned to the cave, picking up a book on body refinement from the vast library, his mind steady and his resolve stronger than ever.